Kolarov struck the crossbar with a swerving long-range effort shortly after Karius’ limp save, with the Reds able to turn the tide with a series of promising bursts forward.

Sadio Mane had a golden opportunity after burning Federico Fazio for pace on the break, but the winger was unable to test Alisson, before then hitting it high and wide from inside the box 49 seconds later.

The Senegalese then had the ball in the back of the net on 34 minutes as he stabbed home Andy Robertson‘s cross, but was left frustrated by an offside flag.

Two minutes later, though, Salah showed him how its done, cutting inside from the left and sending a sensational strike past Alisson to put the hosts 1-0 up.

Dejan Lovren hit the woodwork as the Reds kept up the intensity, and again Salah followed it up with a moment of brilliance as he dinked it over the Roma No. 1 to seal a two-goal lead heading into the break.

Little changed for Roma despite the introduction of Patrick Schick, and their dreadful defence allowed Salah through again before the hour mark, with the Egyptian King laying it on for Mane and 3-0.

Salah was provider once again just five minutes later, latching onto Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s flick to surge into the box and play in Firmino for a tap-in from two yards out.

The No. 9 then levelled Salah’s goal tally with a brilliant header from a James Milner corner, as Roma continued to crumble with no answer from Eusebio Di Francesco.

Almost adding insult to injury, Klopp saw fit with withdraw Salah midway through the second half, sending on Danny Ings to seek his first Champions League strike after a return to goals on Saturday.

Roma grabbed one back through Edin Dzeko, though, with the away goal a glimmer of hope heading into next week, and Diego Perotti notched another from the penalty spot after a handball from Milner.

This rally adds a little flavour to next Wednesday’s second leg in Italy, but Liverpool are still heavy favourites to make it to Kiev.